Do you qualify for a boiler grant?

The UK government's ECO scheme could provide you with a boiler grant

As part of the UK government's Energy Company Obligation (ECO), if you receive a qualifying benefit and your boiler is 10+ years old, you may be entitled to grant funding towards a brand new A-rated boiler.

Free boiler scheme - what is it?

The free boiler scheme was launched in January 2013 with an aim to reduce the UK’s energy consumption and provide grants to low-income households in order to help them improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

The scheme is part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Electricity and Gas Order, which was passed in parliament in 2012 and will run until 2017. It has a total budget of £1.3 billion every year and is primarily funded by the largest UK utility companies.

ECO is made up of 3 obligations, Affordable Warmth, Carbon Saving Community Obligation and the Carbon Saving Obligation. Funding for the free boiler scheme is part of the Affordable Warmth group.

Affordable Warmth Obligation (HHCRO)

Also known as the Home Heat Cost Reduction Obligation, this obligation provides free boiler and insulation grants to private homeowners and tenants who receive certain means-tested benefits. It aims to reduce fuel poverty amongst low-income households by ensuring that heat is generated as efficiently as possible and is prevented from escaping from the home.

Eligible benefits

Eligibility for a free boiler grant will depend on several factors. Firstly, a permanent resident within the property needs to be in receipt of a means-tested benefit, such as:

Additional qualifying criteria

There are additional criteria for each of the above; the most important of which is that the total household income amongst all working-age residents must not exceed £16,010. This figure was decided by the government as being low enough to qualify for funding assistance.

Secondly, the property must of a size to generate sufficient savings from installing such measures. Unfortunately, the resulting carbon savings generated from upgrading a boiler within a flat are not deemed significant enough to justify the funding required to cover such work.

Lastly, there must be an existing low-efficiency boiler within the property. All boilers are rated by their energy efficiency. Most modern units will work at around 90% efficiency (only losing 10% output when converting fuel to heat). A boiler installed around 10 years ago will most likely be around 65-80% efficient. So, by upgrading this old boiler to a new one, the carbon savings will be significant enough to warrant the cost and therefore will qualify under the free boiler scheme.

As part of the 2013 Autumn Statement, funding for the free boiler scheme was cut as part of an agreement that utility companies reduce their customer’s fuel bills by £50. This has made it harder to find installers with funding available, particularly as most of the big 6 utility companies have already met their targets for 2014/15. In 2016, we expect this trend to continue, however, it is still possible to receive a free boiler grant and we can help you find approved installers in your area to arrange a survey.

If you do not qualify for a grant you can compare quotes for a new boiler in order to get the best possible price.

Savings calculator

How much could you save with a replacement boiler? Try our savings calculator and find out!

Who qualifies for a boiler grant?

What happens next?

If you qualify, you will be referred to an approved local installer. They will contact you to arrange a free survey to check if your existing boiler is eligible. A date will then be arranged for your A-rated replacement boiler to be installed.

Why replace your old boiler?

With energy bills more expensive than ever, your boiler needs to be heating your home for the lowest possible cost and your old boiler could be losing you on average around £305 a year.

Boilers installed in the UK are required to be condensing boilers. These are far more efficient than traditional boilers as they release gas at just 55 degrees Celsius (rather than 180 degrees), therefore requiring less energy to generate the same amount of heat.

Less energy means lower bills and if you meet the qualification criteria you may be eligible for a free boiler grant.

What our customers say

dExcellent service. The boiler was fitted within a few weeks from the initial enquiry.

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- Kewal from Walsall on 19th March 2014

dGood work from start to finish.

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- Brenda from Wigston on 31st March 2014

dReally prompt service and very helpful. Got a date to fit boiler really quicky after they'd been to inspect the property.

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- Nichola from Burton-on-Trent on 31st March 2014

dVery quick to survey and a prompt installation with the least amount of disruption. The installer was friendly and considerate. Very pleased with the service thank you.

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- John from Oldham on 16th March 2014

dFast, efficient and friendly so Thankyou.

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- Sharon from Glasgow on 5th May 2014

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- Susan from Hastings on 16th March 2014

dExcellent customer service and very prompt.

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- Charlotte from Harrogate on 19th March 2014

dEverything satisfactory, a very efficient company.

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- Sandra Ann from Birmingham on 19th March 2014

Benefits that qualify automatically

ECO grants, which replaced the Warm Front scheme in 2013
are funded by the UK's biggest energy companies to give
vulnerable and low-income people access to replacement boilers.
Households in receipt of Pension Credit and Child Tax Credit*
automatically qualify for a free boiler.

Benefits that require additional factors to qualify

Replacement boiler grants are available to recipients of Working Tax Credit*,
Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
and Income Support or Universal Credit, though in these circumstances other factors must also be
met in order to qualify for a free boiler.

Apply here for your replacement boiler grant

Grants are available across England, Wales and Scotland.
Apply here and you'll be referred to an approved installer
in your local area. Despite high demand, we can refer your
application to an installer within 24 hours in the majority
of cases.